Daddy's home!

Brandon Bass gave special meaning to the phrase "home for the holidays" when he showed up in the middle of his son's kindergarten class Monday afternoon.

Bass had been overseas for his first tour in Afghanistan, and hadn't seen his family in almost a year. He arrived on American soil for debriefing about a month ago, and decided to surprise his family during his 28-day leave before he returns to his station in Georgia.

It was just after story time at about 1:15 p.m. when Bass walked into his son's classroom at Oak Manor School in his Army fatigues and boots.

"Dad!" shouted 5-year-old A.J. Bass when he turned around and saw his father, then threw his arms around his neck, smiling ear-to-ear. The two were immediately swarmed by A.J.'s classmates, all thrilled to see a real soldier in uniform, live and in the flesh in their classroom.

None were more thrilled than A.J., who couldn't stop smiling and hugging his father, then left school early to spend time with him.

"This is Dad," he said when his teacher, Michelle Sangiacomo, asked him to tell the class who their guest was.

"A.J.'s Dad is a hero who helps keep our country safe," Sangiacomo told her class once the students had again sat down in a circle.

The class thanked Bass in unison. One student could be heard saying, "Thank you, Army man!" Questions ensued, including one from a student who wanted to know if Bass had flown in a helicopter.

At Sangiacomo's prompting, the class showed A.J.'s Dad how they pledge allegiance to the American flag, capped by one student's crystal-clear memory of the words that came after the pledge: "Please sit down."

A.J.'s mother, Melissa Wilson, was also seeing her husband for the first time Monday. She knew he was back in the States and had conspired with him to surprise their children, including their 9-year-old daughter, Phoenix, who was home sick that day.

"I knew he'd be at school, and I always told him I'd pick him up at school," Bass said of his decision to surprise his son.

He hasn't decided yet whether to re-enlist and serve another tour in the Army, and said the future is uncertain in that respect for the next few years for his family. In the meantime, Bass said, he planned to go get something to eat with his wife and son.

"He looks like he could use a hair cut," Bass said, smiling at his son.

Tiffany Revelle can be reached at udjtr@pacific.net, on Twitter @TiffanyRevelle or at 468-3523.